World Plastics Treaty: INRAE scientists engaged within the negotiations

Three INRAE scientists with complementary experience in plastics are attending the negotiation periods: Xavier Cousin, a physiologist learning how plastics have an effect on fish; Marie-France Dignac, a geochemist engaged on microplastics in soils, and Muriel Mercier-Bonin, a toxicologist exploring the consequences of microplastics on the digestive system. Over the course of their analysis, all of them grew to become extra aware of the poisonous results of plastics and felt compelled to assist inform policymaking.

“When the [Plastic Pollution] INC-2 was held in Paris, I was not accredited, but I was able to attend the parallel events,” says Dignac, “It was then that I realized just how much our research could contribute to the debate.” During this era, the three researchers joined The Scientists’ Coalition for an Effective Plastics Treaty, a world community created in 2022. The coalition has introduced collectively over 450 scientists from greater than 65 nations and was shaped as a result of there was no official scientific physique related with negotiations across the plastics treaty. Such had not been the case for different worldwide treaty negotiations, similar to these centered on the local weather or biodiversity.

With the backing of INRAE, Cousin, Dignac, and Mercier-Bonin had been capable of be part of the French delegation as observers beginning with the CIN-3 session. Observer standing grants them a novel place: they are often current throughout work periods with out formally representing France and may thus stay neutral. “Joining an NGO was also an option but that could have compromised the independence and scientific rigour we want to adhere to during these negotiations,” explains Dignac.  

Direct assist for negotiators

In Nairobi (session CIN-3), Ottawa (session CIN-4), and Busan (session CIN-5), the three researchers joined forces with different worldwide researchers (71 in Busan), together with a dozen French audio system. They created a close-knit group to supply direct assist to the negotiators. Their multifaceted function has been to establish delegates’ wants, reply to pressing requests, and supply much-needed scientific readability. 

Depending on the state of affairs, this work might entail explaining the implications of a regulatory selection, shedding mild on oft-confused ideas (e.g., explaining the distinction between bioplastics and biodegradable plastics), or supplying correct data within the face of scientifically unfounded arguments. 

“As active members of the coalition, we’ve also been asked to review or contribute to documents, articles, and proposals,” provides Mercier-Bonin. She continues, “We feel that our work has meaning, that it is part of a committed collective dynamic. While it is demanding, and sometimes exhausting, there is also a strong sense of solidarity and incredible collective energy.” She additionally observes these dynamics throughout the youthful technology of scientists: “I’m impressed by the engagement and expertise of young researchers from France and elsewhere. They contribute tremendously to all stages of the negotiation process.”

“Sounding the alarm is part of our role”

“If we stay on our current trajectory, soon no one on this planet will be able to enjoy a healthy environment.” – Marie-France Dignac

It is due to their scientific independence that the researchers have been capable of set up themselves throughout the broad panorama of gamers already concerned with the delegations, NGOs, industrial stakeholders, and lobbying teams. They are volunteers with out industrial pursuits or political agendas, and they’re clear about their one goal. “Our goal is to provide highly rigorous and objective information regarding the environmental risks and health risks associated with plastics,” states Dignac. 

“Sounding the alarm is part of our role as scientists,” she insists. It is pressing to sound the alarm as a result of plastics are accumulating in every single place. They are within the oceans, soils, and residing organisms; they’re even present in essentially the most distant environments, like snow within the Arctic. Dignac warns, “If we continue on this track, the reality will soon be that no one on this planet will be able to benefit from a healthy environment.” This statement touches on extra than simply science. It additionally highlights the problem of environmental justice. The proper to a wholesome atmosphere is at present recognised as a basic human proper by the UN. Yet, this proper may turn into globally meaningless.

At the CIN-4 session, the researchers famous that sure delegates had an actual want for scientific or technical clarification. These people had been usually centered on a number of points -the local weather, biodiversity, desertification- however didn’t essentially have entry to a staff with particular experience in plastics. “In general, there have been three main points of confusion,” feedback Cousin. 

• The first is the distinction between biodegradable plastics, bioplastics, and biobased plastics. He explains, “The term ‘bioplastic’ is often used in a vague way, sometimes deliberately to suggest the presence of ecological benefits that do not always exist.”
• The second is associated to recycling, which is usually seen as a common answer. He elaborates, “Lobbyists very actively present recycling as a remedy for all our problems, which results in an inflated perception of its effectiveness relative to the plastic crisis. Consequently, we sometimes overestimate the ability of recycling to cope with the problems caused by plastics.”
• The third is tied to the chemical compounds related to plastics. “In some regions, open-air incineration is still used, and it has particularly harmful health effects. Based on the discussions we’ve engaged in, we’ve seen that people are still largely unaware of these risks,” emphasises Cousin.

Combating misinformation

“We’ve witnessed several situations in which misinformation is being spread” – Xavier Cousin

Misinformation has been an actual hurdle through the negotiations. Referring to a dialogue about microplastic measurement, Mercier-Bonin laments, “Certain assertions being made contradict all our scientific knowledge. Some delegates couldn’t understand why this issue is being addressed by the treaty, as if plastic pollution were solely a waste management problem.” Mercier-Bonin explains additional: invisible to the bare eye, microplastics are omnipresent within the atmosphere, and their potential to cross organic boundaries and transport poisonous chemical compounds imply they’re problematic for human and environmental well being. “We’ve also heard, for example, that the toxicity of chemical substances is region dependent,” provides Cousin. He deplores, “It’s true that temperature or other factors can influence certain effects, but this assertion is scientifically unfounded. We’ve unfortunately witnessed several situations in which misinformation is being spread.” 

The researchers have used their experience to assist inform negotiators about scientific problems with concern associated to the treaty. In flip, they themselve have realized from first-hand accounts from the sphere, a course of that has reshaped their scientific perspective. “We’ve been moved by first-hand accounts from indigenous peoples and local communities. For example, the three of us discovered the role being played by waste pickers,” explains Mercier-Bonin, “These populations live with the daily effects of plastic pollution and face very harsh conditions. Their accounts underscore that we are not all equal when it comes to the impact of plastic pollution, and their stories have changed the way we perceive our own research back in the laboratory.” 

Preparing for the subsequent section of egotiations

In the lead-up to the subsequent session of treaty negotiations (INC-5.2), scheduled for August 2025, the three INRAE scientists are persevering with their awareness-raising work. On behalf of the Scientists’ Coalition, they’ve coordinated, co-authored, and translated into French a number of analyses of the draft treaty textual content, addressing points similar to plastic leakage into the atmosphere, hazardous substances, and public well being issues.

In France, they’re working with ministries concerned within the negotiations (the Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs), in addition to diplomatic advisers on the Élysée Palace. They are offering scientific knowledge and experience to tell regulatory choices and assist strengthen the French negotiating place.

These scientific messages had been additionally carried by Xavier Cousin and Marie-France Dignac on the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC), held in Nice in June 2025. Just weeks earlier than the negotiations resume in Geneva, the summit additionally marked a political turning level: via the “Nice Call”, France introduced collectively 95 nations in assist of an bold plastics treaty. It served as a reminder that, within the face of this world problem, solely worldwide cooperation and a dedication to sturdy science will make it doable to achieve an settlement that meets the dimensions of the plastic disaster.